A zombies reflections on that mormon apologists reflections. I served as bishop of a ysa ward a few years ago and learned the ysa age group is growing up in a very fastpaced internet age world where everything is at the. It is recorded in the american cyclopedia and the encyclopedia britannica, that i, david whitmer, have denied my testimony as one of the three witnesses to the divinity of the book of mormon. The three witnesses of the book of mormon were oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris. Dec 05, 2009 book of mormon the testimony of three witnesses awitness4jesuschrist michael corbett.
Presentations to be used in ces programs during study of the book of mormon. The statement of the 3 witnesses for the book of mormon was a single statement signed by all three men. A passage in the book of mormon similarly indicated that the testimony of the witnesses and the book of mormon would come forth at the same time. The original and printers manuscript book of mormon lecture, 1 of 3 february 26, 20 in early 20, our laura f. The three men chosen as witnesses of the book of mormon were oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris. Moroni showed the golden plates to the three witnesses. What role does the law of witnesses play in book of mormon geography.
Restoration of the priesthood and witnesses of the book of mormon. The case against the 3 witnesses of the book of mormon. That we, through the grace of god the father, and our lord jesus christ, have seen the plates which contain this record, which is a record of the people of nephi, and also of the lamanites, their brethren, and also of. Brother scotts book of mormon witness presentation. The testimony of three witnesses be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come. In addition, it has been argued that smith and the witnesses had a similar magical worldview. If you would like more interactive discussion, then please see our facebook discussion page. The work of the translation was proceeding nicely in harmony, pennsylvania for quite a while. The following is their testimony that can be found in the first pages of the book of mormon. May 08, 2017 yesterday a friend gave me a cutout from the newspaper. What other witnesses do we have that the book of mormon is true. A faith promoting presentation of many correlations between the book of mormon and mesoamerican history. Your browser does not currently recognize any of the video formats available.
The book of mormon provided multiple official and unofficial witnesses who corroborated aspects of josephs account. Lds videos largest collection of official mormon videos online. Brother scott and the book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation session 1. Three witnesses oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris declared an angel of god appeared to them and showed them the book of mormon plates and they heard the voice of the lord pronounce. Many critics of the book of mormon witnesses say that the witnesses of the book of mormon denied their written testimonies in statements to different people over the years. Book of mormon central has released a new video in their series evidences of the book of mormon.
Both the bible and the book of mormon declare themselves to be ancient, historical, and reliable rules of faiththe very word of god. Did the book of mormon witnesses really see what they. The first edition of the book of mormon featured two testimonials. Introduction to the book of mormon and testimonies of the three and eight witnesses draw on the board a picture of an arch see the accompanying illustration, or make a model of an arch from wood or other materials. The testimony of the eight witnesses was first published at the end of the 1830 edition of the book of mormon and has been printed in nearly every edition since, although most subsequent editions moved the statement to the front of the book and included minor grammatical corrections. We build enduring faith in jesus christ by making the book of mormon accessible, comprehensible. Book of mormon video presentations mormon literature. This remarkable statement was in fulfillment of prophecy in the book of mormon itself, given by nephi, the son of lehi.
If you are interested in having access to the slides used to create my teaching with power videos in your own lessons, they are available for a small purchase by clicking the above link. The evidence left by the book of mormon witnesses is rich, varied, and uneven, including the following. The solemn testimony of these three additional witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon from the beginning. These eight were christian whitmer, jacob whitmer, peter whitmer, jr. The book of mormon is a second witness to the bible that jesus christ is the savior and redeemer and that he will judge all of heavenly fathers children.
Statements from joseph smith and brigham young in the early history of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints about where parts of the book of mormon. Learn of the newly proposed method for conducting book of mormon geography research. Their written testimony of three witnesses has been included in all of the almost 100 million copies of the book of mormon the church has published since 1830. The one who states his case first seems right, until the other comes and examines him proverbs 18. This video focuses on providing evidence the gold plates actually existed. They have been prepared by the church educational system for use in the book of mormon seminary course. Here is a collection of videos available on the internet that we especially liked or found interesting.
All right, if you go back to the first reaction to the witnesses of the book of mormon in the palmyra reflector, ridicule is pretty standard. He was excommunicated from the church in 1838 and forced to leave the area. This is the first half of an old byu film depicting the story of the three witnesses of the book of mormon. Ancient documents often needed the signatures of witnesses in order to be considered authentic or legally binding. Part of the vhs collection called a voice from the dust, this production of the church of jesus christ of latterday saints is from 1982.
Each of these specific menoliver cowdery, martin harris, and david whitmersacrificed much to help with the translation and publication of the book of mormon, and its likely this is a significant part of why they were chosen as witnesses. The three witnesses monument photo courtesy steve mortensen. Book of mormon the testimony of three witnesses youtube. The three witnesses, unlike the eight witnesses, were shown the plates by a heavenly messenger, not joseph smith. Three witnesses the three witnesses are david whitmer, oliver cowdery, and martin harris, who mortgaged his farm to finance the first printing of the book of mormon. Faithpromoting material about the book of mormon witnesses like cowdery claims they enjoyed. Book any title page introduction testimony of three witnesses testimony of eight witnesses testimony of the prophet joseph smith a brief explanation about the book of mormon illustrations 1 nephi 2 nephi jacob enos jarom omni words of mormon mosiah alma helaman 3 nephi 4 nephi mormon ether moroni pronunciation guide. The author, richard lloyd anderson, gives many historical details about the statements of such critics and the sources and background of their statements. Explaining away the book of mormon witnesses fairmormon. A new look at how the 3 witnesses leaving the church actually supports the existence of the gold plates. Brother scott is holding these events every thursday from may 11jun 1 from. In 2017, keith erekson, who is the director of the church history library, talked about witnessing the book of mormon. The case against the 3 witnesses of the book of mormon duration.
Willes center for book of mormon studies sponsored three lectures by royal skousen called 25 years of research. Witnesses film an interpreter foundation production. The three witnesses were closely associated with joseph smith, jr. Released in its current form in 1994 and 95, this twocassette ces video contains the following titles. Mormon 16 the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. Brother scott and the book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation session 1 if you would like more interactive discussion, then please see our facebook discussion page. The book of mormon video materials consist of a dvd or two videocassettes and this guide. Martin harris made a significant financial contribution to the printing of the book of mormon. The most significant witnesses are the three witnesses and the eight witnesses, all of whom allowed their names to be used on two separate statements included with the book of mormon. The names of oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harris are familiar to most of us, notably because of their role as witnesses to the reality of the book of mormon. Why did ever one of the surviving witnesses leave to another churuch by 1847, including some former mormons who also claimed to have unearthed separate records. Facts on the book of mormon witnesses part 2 mormons in. The book of mormon contains two sets of joint statements written by joseph smith for those who claimed to have seen the gold plates.
Brother scott and the book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation session 3 if you would like more interactive discussion, then please see our facebook discussion page. The three and eight witnesses to the book of mormon. The issue here is that its a fact william smith never saw the plates. The three are part of twelve book of mormon witnesses, who also include smith and the eight witnesses. The ad in the draper paper said, over the last 3040 years many discoveries have given great support to the book of mormon you will learn of the many spiritual and temporal witnesses between the book of mormon and precolumbian history information from lds and nonlds scholars bring your friends, family, neighbors. The book of mormon the book of mormon claims to be a volume of holy scripture comparable to the bible. As the director of the church history library, where we hold the churchs official archival. Accounts by these individuals are recorded in the introduction of the book of mormon as the testimony of the three witnesses and the testimony of the eight. By providing the testimonies of witnesses and including them at the end of the book of mormon, joseph smith was following not only the ancient pattern called for by nephi, but also the guidance and inspiration of the lord. Yesterday a friend gave me a cutout from the newspaper.
Of the eight witnesses, irr notes, all eight had close personal ties to joseph smiths familyfour were david whitmers brothers, a fifth was married to a whitmer sister, and josephs father and two brothers made up the remaining three. Dec 03, 2018 this presentation includes powerful information cited from lds and nonlds experts, scholars, archaeologists, and prophets. That we, through the grace of god the father, and our lord jesus christ, have seen the plates which contain this. The question of the book of mormon witnesses is extremely significant. Edward stevenson, the thirteenth witness to the plates of the book of mormon, ms 55 1893. Elvis presleys copy of the book of mormon aint nothin but a forgery, church history experts say. The book, first published in 1842 and then canonized as scripture in 1880, is the subject of the latest now you know video from the church of jesus christ of latterday saints. The combined testimonies of the three and eight witnesses of the book of mormon provide powerful evidence of the restoration. The most significant witnesses are the three witnesses and the eight witnesses, all of whom allowed their names to be used on two separate statements.
This 4 minute video is a sensitive introduction to the book of mormon translation process. Jul 11, 2011 for reasons that are not completely clear, smith and cowderys relationship soured. That we, through the grace of god the father, and our lord jesus. Watch the video or read a summary of the points below. The earliest documented statement of the three witnesses oliver cowdery, david whitmer, and martin harrisis their statement in the handwriting of oliver cowdery subsequently published in the 1830 edition of the book of mormon. The witnesses were also told in a revelation that they should testify that ye have seen them even as my servant joseph smith jr.
If you are using the video presentation for our day, show it now. Book of mormon witnesses facts, controversies, and contradictions. We can compare the witnesses for the book of mormon to the witnesses of manuscript found. What we have learned about the book of mormon text. Today chris and clay join me again for a roundtable discussion about the eleven witnesses to the book of mormon. You cannot tell the truth and get away with it leah remini. We talk at length about our assumptions that the three witnesses has a spiritual event, that the eight witnesses had a physical event, whether their experience was consistent, and how the institutional church may have.
The three witnesses is the collective name for three men connected with the early latter day. Oliver cowdery, martin harris, and david whitmer were appointed to be three special witnesses of the book of mormon in june 1829. The world was not left with joseph smiths testimony alone. As well as the illustrations in the missionary edition of the book of mormon itself. The book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation lidar technology now lets us look underneath the canopy of the jungle. The dvd or two videocassettes contain presentations designed to help you teach the book of mormon. Check out these video resources for the 2020 youth curriculum. Book of mormon spiritual and temporal witnesses presentation. Cowderys elevated status as second elder and witness to the book of mormon was eventually lost amid accusations of adultery and theft. This is a powerful, informative and spiritual presentation of the realities and purpose of the book of mormon. The three witnesses of the book of mormon compilation retouching and. In this video, i discuss how relying on the published testimony of eight witnesses has led many to incorrectly assume the experience of the eight men was completely natural and physical. Lds videos largest collection of official mormon videos.
And in 2019, daniel peterson spoke about the little known women who were also witnesses of the book of mormon as part of his presentation on idle tales. Insights and inspiration to help you teach and study from the come, follow me manual with impact, relevancy, and power. The three witnesses of the book of mormon, part 1 youtube. For nearly 200 years, skeptics and critics have been trying to explain away what many book of mormon witnesses statedthat they had seen angels and hefted golden metal plates containing ancient inscriptions. From changing their stories to denying their faith to getting excommunicated and much more, j. The testimonies of the three and eight witnesses were published in the first edition of the book of mormon and every edition since. Some may not realize that, aside from viewing the plates, the three witnesses of the book of mormon beheld several other nephite artifacts, including the miraculous directors which were given to lehi while in the wilderness, on the borders of the red sea doctrine and covenants 17. That is because he wasnt one of the 3 or 8 witnesses. Brother scotts book of mormon witness presentation moroni. Bofm witnesses presentation by brother kelly scott provides a spiritual and temporal witness of the reality of the book of mormon. Jan 27, 2017 the solemn testimony of the three witnesses has appeared in every edition of the book of mormon since 1830.
Book of mormonwitnessessignatures on their testimonies. I blogged about this already here, complete with illustrations. The eight saw the plates 12 days after the 3 witnesses saw the angel and objects. Unless otherwise indicated, individuals may post material from the gospel media portion of this site to another website or on a computer network. A list of the exmormon foundation video presentations for 2008 and 2009 are available at their website.
The book of mormon gives very specific details about its characters culture, religion, politics, flora and fauna, etc. The book of mormon people speakwrite hebrew and some form of egyptian. The second video is now available oct 2014 that focuses on the eight witnesses. You may wish to share the following quotations with your class. Here are some critics thoughts on that thanks to gary porter and craig criddle for these. The book of mormon witnesses are a group of contemporaries of joseph smith who claimed to have seen the golden plates from which smith translated the book of mormon. The testimony of the eight witnesses gospel doctrine. There are only two of the witnesses to that book now living, to wit. Some of the major events in the coming forth of the book. Suggest that the students watch for illustrations of the book of mormons influence in our day. Daniel peterson gave an illuminating presentation that among other things summarized the history of women serving as formal witnesses. The transcript of daniel petersons 2019 fairmormon conference presentation is now available by jeffrey thayne. Continues the discussion about the purposes of the book of mormon and paradigm changes. Be it known unto all nations, kindreds, tongues, and people, unto whom this work shall come.
Three witnesses mormonism, the mormon church, beliefs. Church of scientologys retaliation has been insanity church news. Why were the 8 witnesses all from families of founding members and financial beneficiaries of the churches. The video also examines the testimony of the eight witnesses. I have never heard that any one of the three or eight witnesses ever denied the testimony that they have borne to the book as published in the first edition of the book of mormon.
Why were three key witnesses chosen to testify of the book of. Three witnesses of the book of mormon department of. To their dying days, these witnesses defended their testimonies even in the face of cruel mobs, the ridicule of society, and betrayal by. They worship the old testament god, follow the law of moses, and even preach and worship christ both before and after his ministry. Let not many of you become teachers, my brethren, knowing that as such we will incur a stricter judgment james 3. The three special witnesses saw the angel moroni and the plates. Three witnesses shall behold it, by the power of god, besides him to whom the book shall be delivered. The three witnesses is the collective name for three men connected with the early latter day saint movement who stated that an angel had shown them the golden plates from which joseph smith, jr. This is a faithpromoting presentation of the reality of the book of. Share your testimony that the book of mormon is a witness that jesus is the christ, the savior of all mankind. National geographic says it has turned everything we know on its head, there are over 60,000 new cement structures that they didnt know about before tons of defensive fortifications and roads everywhere. The witnesses to the book of mormon are blatantly not credible.
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